Kendrick, Taylor will start spring opener; Gomes sent home sick
Kendrick, Taylor will start spring opener; Gomes sent home sick
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - If there was any concern about the injuries Howie Kendrick and Michael A. Taylor spent the winter rehabbing from preventing them from participating fully in spring training, those fears should be quashed. Both Kendrick (returning from a ruptured Achilles tendon) and Taylor (who suffered hip and oblique injuries this winter in the Dominican Republic) will be in Saturday night's starting lineup for the Nationals' Grapefruit League opener against the Astros. The Nats...
Harvey impresses in live batting practice session (and other notes)
Harvey impresses in live batting practice session (and other notes)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
SARASOTA, Fla. - Trey Mancini walked out of the cage today, passed Hunter Harvey in front of the bench and suggested that the right-hander stick with everything that he's doing in camp. If it ain't broke ... Mancini was smiling as he said it, a touch of sarcasm sprinkled in after Harvey locked him up during live batting practice. "He looked really good," Mancini said following the Orioles penultimate workout before Saturday's exhibition opener against the Twins. "Everything was working...
After injury-plagued winter, Taylor hopes new swing pays off
After injury-plagued winter, Taylor hopes new swing pays off
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Michael A. Taylor went to the Dominican Republic in early December, the rare major league veteran who was willing to go play winter ball for the Gigantes del Cibao and try to implement some significant changes he and Nationals hitting coach Kevin Long made to his swing at the end of the 2018 season. It should've been a great proving ground for Taylor to try out those changes and allow him to report for spring training ahead of the curve. But two days in, Taylor pulled...
Orioles' economic impact on Sarasota exceeds $360 million since 2015
Orioles' economic impact on Sarasota exceeds $360 million since 2015
Doug Miller
Orioles
When the Orioles moved their spring training facilities to Sarasota, Fla., in 2010, officials pointed to the positive effect the franchise would bring to the economy of the Gulf Coast community. It turns out that the annual impact is much greater than anticipated. According Sarasota County's analysis of data it has been collecting since 2015, the Orioles have generated more than $360 million in cumulative economic impact since that time. In the most recent reporting period, the club brought...
Notes on Villar and Osich before today's Orioles workout
Notes on Villar and Osich before today's Orioles workout
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
SARASOTA, Fla. - Jonathan Villar said this morning that he expects to play second base for the Orioles this season. Not his preferred spot in the infield, but it keeps him in the lineup. The signing of Alcides Escobar to a minor league deal and the presence of other shortstop candidates in camp make it more likely that Villar stays at second, where he made 36 starts for the Orioles after coming to them in the Jonathan Schoop trade with the Brewers. He started 18 games at short. "For me, I...
Martinez challenges Turner to reach a lofty stolen base goal
Martinez challenges Turner to reach a lofty stolen base goal
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Davey Martinez called Trea Turner into his office this week and told the speedy shortstop he wants him to attempt more stolen bases this season. How many? Let's just say even the ultra-aggressive Turner was taken aback. "Yeah, he gave me a number," Turner said. "And I was like: 'Wow, all right.'" Martinez later revealed to assembled reporters that he thinks if Turner "attempts 75-80, we'll be in great shape." If Turner's able to pull that off, he'd be in...
Can Cobb, Cashner and Bundy lead the rotation to better days?
Can Cobb, Cashner and Bundy lead the rotation to better days?
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Among many areas where the Orioles can show improvement in 2019 is their starting rotation. Their 2017 rotation ranked last in the American League with a 5.70 ERA and .837 OPS against. Their 2018 starters ranked last with a 5.48 ERA and .850 OPS against. Plenty of room to get better. The Orioles did produce 64 quality starts to rank seventh in the AL and 18th in the majors. Also, O's starters received 352 runs of support, which ranked second-fewest in the majors. Overall, O's pitchers...
Day two of workouts: More live BP and Bobby Orr
Day two of workouts: More live BP and Bobby Orr
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Day two of full-squad workouts at Nationals camp looked a lot like day one. Aside from the Hockey Hall of Famer in attendance this time. We'll get to Bobby Orr in just a moment. But first, the actual baseball stuff. Just as they did Tuesday, the Nats emerged from their morning "Circle of Trust" meeting and fanned out across the practice fields outside FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches to begin stretching and throwing. Infielders took grounders. Outfielders worked...
Chris Davis hoping quiet approach at plate brings loudest results
Chris Davis hoping quiet approach at plate brings loudest results
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
SARASOTA, Fla. - The swings keep coming on the main and back fields. Baseballs are launched over fences, one slamming into the metal roof of the indoor batting cage beyond Camden Yards South. Failure to square them up brings a quick and audible scolding from the man who's holding the bat. The man who can't escape the attention and scrutiny as another spring training unfolds. Who's amused when told about the experts on social media who break down his stance and whether a toe tap or the...
Involved Rendon wants to keep up contract talks with Nats
Involved Rendon wants to keep up contract talks with Nats
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - If he had his way, Anthony Rendon would never have to field a question about his pending free agency and ongoing talks with the Nationals about a long-term extension that would prevent him from ever becoming a free agent. But Rendon, as media-averse as anyone on the Nats roster, understands that won't be the case this year. Just as it was with Bryce Harper last season, this is going to loom over him throughout 2018. And that's just not his cup of tea. "Definitely. I...